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‘Farmers forced to fight for justice’: Congress’ Anand Sharma in Rajya Sabha
Anand Sharma also held the central government responsible for the ‘situation that has arisen’ as the farmers’ protests entered day 72.
The three central farm laws were once again the topic of discussion in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, as Congress lawmaker Anand Sharma held the Centre responsible for the ‘situation that has arisen.’ Sharma also expressed sympathies for Delhi Police personnel, who sustained injuries after the farmers’ tractor parade turned violent on January 26.
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“Farmers were forced to fight for their rights and to get justice. The government of India is responsible for the situation that has arisen. I want to pay tributes to the 194 farmers who died during the protests,” news agency ANI quoted Sharma as saying in the Upper House.
“We express sympathies for police personnel and officers who were injured during the January 26 violence. No one has the right to attack those who are discharging their duties. The Red Fort incident has sent shockwaves across the nation and it should be investigated,” Sharma said.
According to Delhi Police, more than 500 of its personnel were injured in the violent clashes with a section of farmers, who diverted from the route agreed between the police and farmers’ leaders, and entered the Capital for their march on Republic Day. One protesting farmer also lost his life in the January 26 clashes. His family members and eyewitnesses alleged he was shot dead by the police, who, in turn, claim that he died as his tractor turned turtle, and have released CCTV footage backing their claim.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress’ general secretary, had visited family members of Navreet Singh in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur on Thursday.
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The three laws were passed in September last year amid chaotic scenes in Parliament, especially in the Rajya Sabha. Protests against the laws began in Punjab and shifted to Delhi in November. Eleven rounds of talks have taken place between the Union government and farmers’ unions and have been inconclusive. On Saturday, farmers will stage a pan-India road blockade.
